FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
July 2, 2025
**PRESS RELEASE**
LA CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS BLUMENFIELD’S ORDINANCE TO BAN SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL EVICTIONS
Strengthening renter protections in the City of Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, CA – Yesterday, Councilmember Bob Blumenfield and the LA City Council voted to amend the Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance, Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Section 165.03, by removing the Substantial Remodel Clause (LAMC Section 165.03 I.2).
With the ordinance, the City’s Just Cause Ordinance (JCO) no longer allows "substantial remodel" as a justification for a no-fault eviction while at the same time creating a clear pathway for landlords to make substantial remodels in a manner that works for both tenants and landlords.
“Renovictions should never happen, but renovations should be allowed as long as the needs of both the landlord and the tenants are respected,” said Councilmember Bob Blumenfield.
The new ordinance guarantees that tenants have the right to return to their unit and that they do not lose their tenancy even if they have to relocate during the renovation process. Also, it clarifies that the landlord is responsible for any costs associated with the temporary dislocation.
State law currently regulates any rent increase for a newly renovated unit, allowing a ten percent (10%) annual increase year to year. Because this new ordinance ensures that the tenant maintains tenancy and pays rent during any dislocation period, the cost of the new rent cannot exceed this 10% increase.
“My substantial remodel ordinance closes a loophole that allowed for an eviction process, even when the tenant was in good standing,” Blumenfield added. “Hundreds of families are caught in this type of eviction process, with no ability to keep their units. My policy will ensure that a tenant has the ability to maintain tenancy, keep paying rent, and stay in their apartment.”
This new ordinance protects those tenants who live in apartments that are more than 15 years old, but are not currently protected by the Rent Stabilized Ordinance (RSO) because their building was constructed after 1978. Renters in Rent Stabilized Units are already protected from ‘renoviction’ by the RSO. The RSO protections require the landlord to put together a Tenant Habitability Plan (THP) whereas the new ordinance does not.
The new ordinance will be governed by rules that will be promulgated by the Rent Adjustment Commission within the next 90 days. It also allows an affirmative defense to the tenant, and sets remedies should a landlord violate the new law and attempt to recover the unit itself from the tenant (an eviction). Finally, the fines associated as remedies are increased if the tenant is older than 65 years of age, as a defense for senior Angelenos.
“Unfortunately, it’s been far too easy for unscrupulous landlords to exploit the substantial remodel provision to subvert state rent protections, displace long-standing tenants, and hike rents,” said Chelsea Kirk, Director of Research and Advocacy at Strategic Actions for a Just Economy, an economic justice organization focused on tenant rights and healthy housing. “Los Angeles is in the grip of a terrible housing crisis, made worse by the recent fires, and we need this ordinance to keep renters housed and keep rents affordable.”
“Landlords used this basis for eviction pretextually as a way to flip properties. My clients have been fighting these evictions for years,” said Laura Matter, attorney, Inner City Law Center. “It took a lot of courage and they had to shoulder a lot of risk to fight this fight. I’m so relieved that it’s finally over.”
The Council’s action underscores the importance of balancing the needs for property improvements with the fundamental right of tenants to remain in their homes. The motion aims to close gaps in the existing ordinance, which has allowed some landlords to use extensive remodels as a basis for evicting tenants. By suspending this eviction avenue, the Council ensures that housing stability remains a top priority for the city.
“We are thrilled that the City Council has finally voted to close the renoviction loophole that left tenants vulnerable to bad faith evictions. This ordinance will permanently protect countless families from the whims of corporate landlords and provide a common sense pathway to allow families to return to their homes after substantial remodels,” said Alex Jasset, Energy Justice Director, Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles. “We greatly appreciate the leadership of Councilmember Blumenfield for working with the Los Angeles for Resilient and Healthy Homes coalition to find a permanent solution to this problem, and we look forward to continued collaboration in addressing the many housing challenges the city still faces.”
This ordinance is an important victory for tenants citywide and maintains a balance for landlords that want to, or need to perform a substantial retrofit on their property.
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